Ameliorating Effects of Aqueous Extract of Tetracarpidium conophorhum against Iron- Overload Induced damage in Rats

Iron, though an important nutrient but in excess can produce serious damaging effects on organs of the body. Intake of plants and or plant products with iron chelating ability, instead of synthetic iron chelators, can produce less adverse effects and may be more effective. The potential effect of Tetracarpidium conophorhum (T. conophorhum) as a chelating agent of plant origin has not been determined hence the present study. Iron overload condition was induced by oral administration of iron II chloride in the rats. Twenty five rats were randomly divided into five groups. Groups A and B were the normal and negative control (iron overload only) respectively. Groups C-E were the iron overload induced rats treated with 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg body weight of T. conophorhum extracts. Animals in groups C-E received daily oral administration of extracts for thirty days. Thereafter, we studied the effects of T. conophorhum on liver function enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, hematological parameters and lipidperoxidation. Iron overloaded rats showed significant increase (p<0.05) in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total and direct bilirubin levels and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in total protein, albumin, antioxidant enzymes. T. conophorhum extract at a high dose of 1000mg/kg body weight was able to restore the levels of these parameters to normal. These findings therefore suggest that high dose of T. conophorhum seed extract may be effective in reducing the resultant effects produced in the iron overload-induced liver damage. Keywords: T. conophorhum, iron overload, antioxidants, lipid peroxidatio

Physicochemical changes in maize plant (Zea mays) grown on contaminated soil exposed to sawdust treatment

The potential effects of sawdust for bioremediation of growing maize grown on crude oil contaminated soil was evaluated in this study. The experiment was divided into 3 groups control (soil without crude oil), polluted (soil with varying concentrations of crude oil), and sawdust treated (polluted soil with 50g sawdusts). The polluted and sawdust treated regime received four levels of treatments with crude oil (25g, 50g, 75g and 100g). Viable seeds of maize were grown on the soil beds for 35 days to assess the % germination, % survival, stem height, chlorophyll a and b, oxidative stress indicators and selected macronutrients using standard methods. Data obtained shows that the growth performance of the sawdust treated samples containing low concentration of crude oil was better in comparison to polluted groups but less than that of control. Sawdust remediation helped in overcoming the growth inhibition due to pollution to some extent. Significant increase (p<0.001) in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase) were observed in the sawdust treated regime when compared with the polluted and control groups. The result also showed a significant decrease (p<0.001) in Malondialdehyde levels and a non- significant increase (p>0.05) in macronutrients assessed in the remediated regime when compared with the polluted regime. Remediation of the polluted soil with sawdust relieved the inhibitory effect of crude oil on the plant growth particularly in groups containing lower concentrations of crude oil.Keywords: crude oil, sawdust, antioxidants, oxidative stres

Liver function status in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Extracts of some Anti-diabetic Medicinal plants

The anti-diabetic effects of the plants Spondias mombin, Vernonia amgdalina, Annona murica and Nigella sativum have been reported in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.  This study assessed the liver function status of diabetic rats treated with these plant extracts. 42 rats were randomly divided into seven groups. Groups 1-3 served as the normal control, diabetic control and positive control groups respectively. Groups 4-7 were the Spondias mombin, Vernonia amgdalina, Annona murica and Nigella sativum extracts treated diabetic rats respectively. The liver markers assessed includes serum AST, ALT, ALP, total protein, albumin, bilirubin concentrations. The result showed that treatment with all plant extract resulted in a significant decrease in AST, ALT and ALP concentrations. However, a higher percentage decrease in ALP and ALT levels were observed in the Vernonia amgdalina treated diabetic rats when compared to other extract treated rats while Annona muricata treated rats gave the highest percentage reduction in AST concentration. Also treatment with V.amgdalina and Annona muricata gave the highest percentage reduction in total and conjugated bilirubin. Non-significant change was observed in protein and albumin levels. Histological evaluation revealed that treatment with extracts of Spondias mombin leaves, V. amgdalina leaves, Annona muricata leaves reverted the damage to the liver caused by STZ induction. V.amgdalina and Annona muricata are two plants to consider as powerful hepatoprotective agents